Was I being a CF?

[101stNC]

I have regular treatments at a private aesthetics clinic, ran by a husband and wife.

Before lockdown they were running a promotion, offering the treatment I usually have at a reduced rate.

I booked in but the appointment was cancelled due to the pandemic hitting.

The wife of the couple sent me a text and said she had spoken with her husband and because I'm a loyal customer they will honour the discounted price next time I go.

Fast forward to now and they have been given the go ahead to reopen at a reduced capacity so i booked in.

It was just the husband in today so when I arrived I queried whether the discounted rate still applied and he said he didn't have a clue what I was talking about. I told him about the text from his wife and offered to show him, he said it wasn't necessary as he believed me but also because customers can't use their phones inside the practice. They are taking several precautions due to the virus.

He explained that because they've not been taking bookings for three months they're not in a position to do that, to which I replied that I understood completely and am more than happy to pay full price.

I don't know whether it was due to my embarrassment but the atmosphere was then very awkward and uncomfortable.

Was I being a CF?

[youwereagoodcakeclyde]

Not a CF.
To look at all angles, maybe awkward atmosphere was him thinking "should I have taken that money off?" "will she come back?" "are there others who should be discounted" "can the business cope with that promotion?" "is she annoyed?"
You weren't being a CF and if he thought so he was wrong.

[Secretsout]

101stNC they are definitely uninsured, unprofessional and acting illegally.

If they are on the medical register I'd be picking up the phone to their professional body and reporting them.

If anything goes wrong with your treatment they are in the shit!

They are greedy and putting wealth before health.

I'd love to know who they are!

[Secretsout]

And it's also illegal to discount and incentivise on Botox as it's a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) and you cannot be seen to be promoting what is, in reality, a drug.

So 2-4-1, £50 off etc. Is an absolute no, no.

Sorry but they don't sound professional or ethical at all.

[101stNC]

Wow, well I think that has influenced how I will be dealing with the matter then. I just won't be going back.

[Pool99765]

My boss runs an aesthetic business on the side. She is absolutely clear she isn't opening her business again until it's legal to do so, which it is not right now.

Are these people even health care professionals? I'd be shocked if they were and agree they should be reported to their professional body. And if they're not they shouldn't be going near you. No way would I let someone who isn't medically trained to give injections to that to me.

[Pool99765]

Good point @Secretsout, it is illegal to discount botox

[ladytremaineswig]

No it should have been honoured. Text his wife and ask if it can be honoured next time

[BobbieDraper]

Oh gosh. It sounds like they've just invented their own safety rules and are passing it off as "oh, we've told "the government" about our precautions and have permission"

I had no idea you couldnt discount botox! They sound a little more dodgy now.

[Ohdearfindingthisboringnow]

I didn't realise that they could reopen. I have never had and not for me but I do like having pretty nails....

Nail bars not opened yet though

[Mnthrowaway20202]

Go somewhere else in the future!

I go to a clinic that’s run by a doctor - they initially anticipated reopening in June but were recently informed they could only reopen in July; so specifically cancelled these June appointments to follow government guidance.

The fact that your practitioner went ahead is dodgy.

They also treated you poorly re the discount. Unprofessional

[Secretsout]

101stNC

Professional standards is something I feel very strongly about.
If you need a recommendation for a reputable clinic then I know a number of excellent clinics around the UK or I can check amongst the members of the associations that I am a member of.

Agree with what Pool99765 says, I wonder if they are even on a medical register (NMC, GMC, GDC)

[101stNC]

Their website states they have medical degrees and are fully trained.

They operate from a professional clinic, certificates on the wall etc.

I won't be going back again that's my decision. I've just seen something on their social media account which has contributed to it. A post from a few weeks ago mocking people who want big lips.

Well I'm one of them people, and I'm not remotely arsed what most people think about it but I don't expect the judgement from the people who do the bloody procedure for me

I wouldn't be surprised if I sprung to mind when they posted it as he has told me several times that I'm the only client who he does my type of lips for. Most tend to request 0.5 for example. I want at least 1.5

Even if I wasn't in mind, the shoe fits.

I'll be taking my money elsewhere, I won't bother haggling about the discount.

Thanks for the perspective

[101stNC]

@Secretsout

101stNC

Professional standards is something I feel very strongly about.
If you need a recommendation for a reputable clinic then I know a number of excellent clinics around the UK or I can check amongst the members of the associations that I am a member of.

Agree with what Pool99765 says, I wonder if they are even on a medical register (NMC, GMC, GDC)

That would be lovely thank you

[ladytremaineswig]

Actually yes posters are right they're not supposed to advertise or discount Botox. Is it actually Botox though? Usually it isn't really Botox when it's cheap. I got lured into a cheap offer and I think it was azzalure and probably watered down azzulure at that. Lasted about a month as opposed to the 6-9 months when I was getting it with a doctor or nurse. False economy.

[101stNC]

Another clinic I follow on IG has also been uploading bookings from today so if they are breaking the law then they're not the only ones. Oh dear

[101stNC]

I'm sure the products are legit yes, I have both lips and botox and the results are long lasting

[101stNC]

Excuse my second to last post. The other clinic i mentioned is posting previous work and states there is no appointments until August.

[ladytremaineswig]

@101stNC azzalure and dyasport are legitimate products but they are significantly cheaper than Botox. If you ask them what brand they're using I bet it's not Botox. I had to ring around ten clinics when I moved to find someone actually using Botox

[Beautiful3]

You were right. He was wrong to say that. I would look else where.

[damnthatanxiety]

You are British yes? Why are the British so embarrassed about money?

[101stNC]

I'll make a note of that lady thank you. I'll ask in advance when I go elsewhere.

I'm British yes. I'm not embarrassed about money but men make me anxious so arguing with one isn't something I'm comfortable with. I pushed the issue as far as I felt able to but he wasn't receptive so I left it there and went ahead at full price because I'd travelled an hour to get there and was looking forward to the appointment.

[ArgumentativeAardvaark]

Telegraph article about Botox clinic re-opening

[101stNC]

I can only read the first part of that article but it makes for sobering reading.

Not good.

If I didn't believe they had been given the green light to resume then I wouldn't have gone.

[MistyMinge2]

You weren't cheeky and I completely get why you felt awkward. There's a good chance they had a government grant or the self employment help, so I'm not so sure it's fair to make you feel bad for asking about a discount. Especially one you'd already been promised.

[OchonAgusOchonO]

@101stNC Not that it matters but I feel I need to explain exactly why I'm not comfortable being assertive with men and didn't press the matter even harder.

Based on your update, I would like to apologise for my post I voted Yabu. Not because you were a cf to ask for the discount but because you are being so ridiculous in not insisting on getting the discount and then complaining that you are not getting it. Hoping he talks to his wife and then decides to give it to you next time goes way beyond "not assertive".

Given your background, you did well to raise it 3 times. I hope you are getting counselling to deal with the aftermath of the abuse.